Start by cutting the tips off of your sugar cones so that the marshmallows will have a flat surface to sit on.
12 sugar cones
Melt the candy melts either in the microwave or on the stove using a double boiler.
2 cups red candy melts
Put the melted candy onto a piece of parchment paper or in a shallow bowl. Place an ice cream cone in the melted candy and roll it gently around to coat the cone.
Stand the cone up and place the cones upright on the parchment paper. Let the cnady coating harden while you make the buttercream.
Cream the butter for a couple of minutes until it’s light and fluffy.
1 cup salted butter
Add the vanilla and milk and mix it in until it’s totally incorporated.
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, 2 TBS milk
Slowly add the powdered sugar to the butter mixture, mixing as you add. Beat until the frosting holds its shape with stiff peaks but remain soft and able to pipe.
3-4 cups powdered sugar
Place the majority of the frosting in a piping bar with a round tip or just with the tip cut off. Keep a little bit out to use to coat your marshmallows.
Place the decorator’s sugar or white sprinkles in a shallow dish. Pipe one even level of frosting onto the top of each of the cupcakes. Dip the top of the cupcakes into the sugar or sprinkles.
decorator's sugar or white sprinkles
Place a mini marshmallow on the end of a toothpick or a bamboo skewer. Dip the marshmallows into the frosting and then coat with sugar or sprinkles. Pipe a tiny amount of frosting on the tip of the ice cream cone that you cut off earlier and gently press the coated marshmallow on top.
12 mini marshmallows
Finally, gently press the cones into the frosting on the cupcakes, trying your best to center them on the cupcakes as much as possible.
12 red velvet cupcakes
Notes
Handle the ice cream cones on the bottom as much as possible while rolling and standing them upright to harden. This will help to keep the outside visible part of the cones as neat as possible.Make sure to get nonpareils (the little balls) kind of sprinkles rather than the longer jimmies. The jimmies don’t stay on the marshmallows very well and you want the marshmallows and the top of the cupcakes to match.Store cupcakes in an airtight container (if you can find one to fit them) for up to three days, but they are best enjoyed the day they’re put together.